MA DOC – Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH)

MA DOC – Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 508-279-4500

This facility is for adult inmates.

The MA DOC – Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) is a correctional facility hospital located at 20 Admin Rd in Bridgewater, MA.

State Hospitals are operated by the Department of Corrections to hold inmates sentenced to a term of evaluation and treatment before any new assessment of their stability is considered. You may call 508-279-4500 to get information about an inmate and visiting hours.

Massachusetts DOC medical facilities include Level I (Open dormitories without a secure perimeter) housing, Level II (Open dormitories with secure perimeter fences and armed coverage) housing, and Level III (Individual cells, fenced perimeters, and armed coverage) housing.

With a "general acute care hospital, correctional treatment center, licensed elderly care unit, in-patient and out-patient psychiatric facilities, a hospice unit for terminally ill inmates, housing and treatment for inmates identified with AIDS/HIV, general population, and other special inmate housing.

Family and Friends of inmates are allowed to:
• Receive phone calls from the inmates,
• Provide them with commissary money
• Receive and send them mail
• Schedule a time to visit.

visitation Info

MA DOC – Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) – Visitation

VISITING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Bridgewater State Hospital has developed the following Institutional Visiting Rules and Procedures for the Bridgewater State Hospital.  These rules and procedures are:

Visiting Hours and Limitations

Institutional Visiting Periods, i.e., days of the week and hours when visiting is permitted. 

Fridays, Mondays, and Tuesdays:
All patients/inmates are allowed to receive visits from 1:00PM to 8:45PM 

Saturdays and Sundays:
All patients/inmates are allowed to receive visits from 8:00AM to 3:45PM

Holidays:
Any state holiday which falls on a day when the visiting room is open (Friday through Tuesday), the visiting hours shall be 8:00 AM to 3:45PM. Hours for holidays which fall on days the visiting room is closed shall be determined by the Superintendent.

Visitors will not be processed or permitted to enter the institution between 4:45 PM and the conclusion of the 5:00 PM major count.  In addition, visitors will not be processed or permitted to enter the institution during the final 20 minutes of each visiting period.

Limitations on Visits

• Both patients and inmates may have an unlimited number of weekly visits. In addition, patients and inmates shall be permitted to visit for the entire visiting periods. However, this will apply on a "space available" basis. If there is insufficient space in the Visiting Room to accommodate all visitors, patients and inmates will be permitted to receive only a one (1) hour visit on a "first in, first out basis". (Visitors who have traveled more than 50 miles will be allowed to stay).
• No more than two (2) visitors (adults) shall be permitted to visit a patient/inmate at any one time. In the event the number of visitors exceeds the two (2) allowed, the Shift Commander shall be notified and shall determine if the visitors will be allowed in.
• Cross visiting shall be prohibited. Cross visiting is the practice of an individual visiting more than one (1) patient/inmate.
• The cross visiting rule does not apply to attorneys, clergy or the immediate family visiting siblings (in the event 2 or more brothers are confined at BSH at the same time). The visitor will write to the Superintendent and request permission to visit two or more patients/inmates. If permission is given then the visitor will present the letter every time s/he visits.

Identification, Sign-In, and Search Procedure

Each visitor will adhere to the following process upon entering the facility to visit a patient or an inmate.

The Visitor shall:

• Obtain a number from the dispenser on the wall. Please be advised taking more than one number per visitor, saving a space for a “late-comer”, may result in a warning or being barred for a maximum of twelve months.
• Complete a "Request to Visit Inmate/Patient" form located in the box on the writing table at the wall. Each adult visitor must fill out a slip even if they are together and visiting the same patient/inmate.
• Remain within the waiting area as directed by the signs on the wall until the number on the card is called.
• Step forward and deliver the completed form along with a current and valid photo identification, (i.e., drivers license, passport or an identification card issued by the Department of Transitional Assistance shall be sufficient) and your vehicle registration to the officer in the processing booth.  An attorney visiting Bridgewater State Hospital shall be required to present a bar membership card and one other piece of identification with a photograph on it. No other identification is required.
• Attorneys must also take a number on any scheduled visiting day regardless of the time of day that they visit so that the numbering sequence is not thrown off.

In the event a visitor claims he/she cannot submit to a metal detector search due to an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker, the following procedures shall be adhered to:

• The Shift Commander will be notified; the visitor will not be allowed to enter the facility.
• The visitor shall be informed they will be required to produce a notarized letter from a medical doctor.
• The letter must state that the use of the hand-held or walk-through metal detector will place the individual's medical well being at risk.
• The letter shall be forwarded to the office of the Superintendent for review.
• Once proper documentation is received, individuals with implanted defibrillator or pacemakers will be searched in the manner described below. The Shift Commander will be notified before the personal search begins.
• Prior to personal searches the visitor must sign the search consent log.
• The individual will submit to personal search in the Pedestrian Trap Search area. The personal search will be conducted by an officer of the same sex as the individual being searched.
• The personal search will include the removal of shoes, belts, coats, sweaters, etc.  Pockets will also be emptied as part of the search. 

Searches of Visitors

Institution visitors are subject to search at any time. 

All institution visitors are required to pass through the metal detector (and/or a hand held scanner) located in the Front Control Pedestrian Trap. Visitors are not permitted to enter via the Vehicle Trap unless prior authorization is granted by the Deputy Superintendent of Operations or the Director of Security. All visitors are required to remove their shoes as part of the entry search procedure.

In addition, the 7-3 shift commander shall designate a personal search of the day for all patient/inmate visitors (e.g. every 8th patient/inmate visitor shall be subjected to a personal search).

• All visitors who comply with a personal search shall sign the Visitor’s Search Log prior to the search.
• Those visitors who refuse to comply with personal search shall be denied access to the facility in accordance with CMR 483.
• Should a visitor fail to pass the fixed metal detector, the visitor shall be asked to submit to a hand-held metal detector search in the designated search area.  During the hand-held metal detector search it is important that the cause of the interference be identified.  When a visitor is unable to clear the metal detector or hand held scanner, s/he will be subject to a personal search and must sign the log book before the search is conducted.  The search will be conducted by an officer of the same gender as the visitor.  Once the searching officer has conducted the personal search and is reasonably sure that the visitor retains no concealed metal contraband, the visitor will be allowed to proceed to the Visiting Room. 
• If the officer conducting the personal search feels an item may be concealed on a visitor, permission must be granted from the Shift Commander to conduct a more extensive search. 
• Unclothed personal searches may only be authorized by the Superintendent or designee. In addition, the visitor must agree in writing to submit to an unclothed personal search. Any visitor who is asked to remove any article of clothing (other than shoes or outerwear) or submit to an unclothed personal search must sign the Search Log located in Pedestrian Trap.
• Visitors shall be granted the opportunity to leave the institution rather than submit to a personal search (including an unclothed personal search) and may leave at any time during the search.
• The designated visitor/staff search areas shall be searched prior to being utilized to conduct a personal search of a visitor.

Funds

Visitors who desire to leave funds for a patient/inmate shall obtain andcomplete a deposit envelope and will place their check or money order in this competed envelope. The envelope containing the check/money order shall then be placed in the deposit box located in the Front Lobby. Blank deposit envelopes are available from the Front Control staff.

Guns, Weapons, Alcohol, etc.

Substances, alcohol, or any other article whatsoever brought into or out of the institution may result in loss of visiting privileges as well as criminal prosecution.  (In addition to appearing in the Institution's Rules and Procedures, this statement is posted on a sign in English and in Spanish which is conspicuously displayed in the institution entrance).

Visitor Dress Code/ Allowable Items

All visitors are required to adhere to the requirements set forth in Appendix A – Standardized Visitor Dress Code and Allowable Items, which defines Departmental Policy on Visitor Dress Code, Medication and Medical Devices and allowable and non-allowable items. Any questionable clothing or other issues shall be directed to the Shift Commander through the OIC of Outer Control.

The failure of a visitor to conform to the provisions of this section shall result in a denial of that visitor's request to visit.

Other General Rules

• All other items will be locked in the visiting lockers available in the Front Control Lobby,  (i.e., wallet, money, jewelry, cigarettes, purses, handbags, keys, etc.). The above applies to all visitors.
• A copy of the Institution's Visiting Rules and Procedures shall be made available to any visitor who requests one.
• Visitors are not permitted to bring any articles out of the institution other than those which they came in with (see 1. above). The only exceptions to this are patient/inmate property items which may be brought out with prior approval (see below).
• All visitors are required to lock their vehicles.

Note: Be advised that smoking or any other use of tobacco products is prohibited in the institution or on institution grounds.

Property

• Incoming patient/inmate property is not accepted from visitors.
• Property may however, be sent out via visitors. Arrangements for such must be made in advance through the Property Officer. The Property Officer will then, on the appointed day, deposit the outgoing property and the accompanying paperwork in the Administration Building Front Control. Said property will then be taken out by the respective visitor.

Attorney Rooms

Bridgewater State Hospital has established visiting areas for patients/inmates to have confidential conferences with attorneys. These are located in the visiting room and in the hallway opposite the Richardson Court Room (2 private rooms).

SEPARATE HOUSING UNITS and SPECIAL STATUS PATIENTS

The following procedures have been developed to encompass visits for patients/inmates who are housed on designated units within Bridgewater State Hospital in accordance with the patient's clinical/security needs.

Infirmary

• Whenever a patient is in the Infirmary and a visitor requests to visit, security staff notifies the Infirmary Nurse who, will assesses the patient/inmate for clinical issues to determine if the patient/inmate is capable of receiving a visit in the visiting room located in the Administration Building.
• In the event the Nurse determines the visit is contraindicated by the patient's/inmate's condition, the shall inform the Shift Commander. The shift Commander or designee shall then inform the family member that the request to visit is denied.
• Attorney visits for Infirmary patients/inmates shall normally occur in the visiting room.  If an Infirmary patient/inmate is unable to have an attorney visit in the visiting room due to a medical condition the visit may occur in the Infirmary dayroom.  The Infirmary OIC shall consult with the Infirmary Nurse and notify the Shift Commander if the attorney visit shall occur in the Infirmary dayroom.

Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) 

Patients housed in the Intensive Treatment Unit may not have visits (except for attorney visits) unless prescheduled and approved by the Superintendent. Attorney visits for patients in the ITU shall occur as follows:

• All attorney visits will take place in the ITU
• The Front Control staff shall notify the Control Center and I.T.U. that there is an attorney visit for patient (name). A clinical staff member shall determine if there are any mental health contraindications to the visit.
• If there are no mental health contraindications for the visit, the I.T.U Officer-in-Charge shall designate an officer to report to the Administration Building to escort the attorney to I.T.U.
• The patient receiving the attorney visit or regular visit shall be cuffed behind his back and escorted to a designated. Cuffs shall be removed while the patient is placed in a secure area during the course of the visit.
• During the visit the door may be closed with an officer standing immediately outside the door observing the visit at all times.
• Upon completion of the attorney visit, the patient will be escorted to the strip cell and strip searched prior to being escorted back to his room.
• The attorney will be escorted back to the Administration Building.
• The attorney’s name, time of entry into the unit, time exiting the unit and the patient’s name are to be recorded in the I.T.U. log book.

Close Observation Status (COS) 

Patients on COS require documented monitoring at 15 minute intervals. The visiting procedure for patients who are housed on COS is as follows:

• Attorney Visits – the patient shall be escorted to the attorney visiting area by the B-1 Officer.  The Officer supervising the visit shall complete the 15 minute observation checks.
• Patients will be escorted to the Visiting Room by a Correction Officer who will transfer the COS Log Sheet to the Visiting Room Officer who will perform the 15 minute checks and document them on the Log Sheet.
• Upon termination of the visit, the Rear Control Officer will notify the unit staff and the patient will be escorted to the unit by a Correction Officer. A designated Unit Correction Officer will resume the observation/documentation process.

Phase Treatment Program & Special Treatment Status (STS) – In accordance with 103 CMR 424, Phase Treatment Program:

• STS visits will be permitted on a prescheduled basis in the Visiting Room, at a separate time from general population visits. Visitors must contact the Superintendent to schedule a visit.
• STS patients may have one scheduled visit per week of one hour duration with an immediate family member.
• Attorney visits – Attorney visits for STS are not subject to the time limitation or pre-approval requirement. Attorney visits will be held in the offices outside the Court Room. The patient will be escorted to the attorney visiting room in handcuffs or waist chains and leg irons. These restraints shall be removed upon arrival in the attorney visiting room.
• Phase I patients may have visitors unless contraindicated by the Treatment Team.
• Treatment Program patients on Phase II and Phase III shall have the same general visiting privileges as other patients.
• Visits for separate housing units are normally held in the Visiting Room during regular visiting hours.
• Attorneys who visit patients/inmates who are housed in separate housing units shall be held pursuant to 103 CMR 486 [486.08 (2)].
• Per 103 CMR 471 (471.10), accredited clergy shall be permitted to visit patients/inmates who are housed in separate housing units pursuant to the same rules as attorneys.

SPECIFIC VISITING ROOM RULES AND REGULATIONS

• Visitors shall be expected to dress and conduct themselves reasonably and not to engage in physical contact with patients/inmates that is excessive or inappropriate for a public place.  Serious deviations from appropriate standards of behavior may result in administrative action such as warning, termination of a visit, or suspension or loss of visiting privileges.
• The decision to terminate a visit will be made only by the Shift Commander.
• At no time should anything be passed or given by either a patient/inmate or visitor.
• In order to avoid unnecessary accidents and also not to interfere with other visits, minors should be kept under control while in the Visiting Room.  Minors in the visiting area(s) shall be the responsibility of the adult visitor and shall not be allowed to engage in disruptive behavior or the visit will be terminated.
• Visitors are not allowed to wander around the Visiting Room.
• Visitors should feel free to approach the Visiting Room Officer with any questions they may have concerning visits or request to speak to the staff member on duty that day, if available.
• No beverages or food will be brought into or out of the institution.
• All patients/inmates will subject to personal search before an unclothed personal search after each visit.
• At the conclusion of each visit, any contraband found on either the patient/inmate or visitor upon completion of said visit will be confiscated and an Incident Report will be written. (Disciplinary Report may be written if found on an inmate).
• A patient/inmate may request to use the bathroom once per visiting period. Whenever a patient/inmate requests to use the bathroom while on a visit, the patient/inmate shall be allowed to use the bathroom in the rear trap area. The patient/inmate will be pat searched prior to using the bathroom and an unclothed search shall be performed prior to their return to the visiting room. If a patient/inmate makes an additional bathroom request, the patient/inmate shall be required to return to his unit to use the bathroom and the visit shall be concluded. The patient/inmate shall be strip searched immediately after exiting the visiting room per the existing procedure.         
• Whenever a visitor requests to use the bathroom, the visitor shall be asked to exit the institution  and shall be permitted to use the bathroom facilities in the Visitors' Lobby. The visitor shall be subjected to a personal search before allowed to re-enter the institution.
• Female visitors requesting to breast feed their children shall be directed to an attorney visiting room for the privacy of mother and child only. Upon conclusion of breast feeding, an appropriate search shall be conducted in accordance with 103 CMR 483.07(3) s.

Vending Machines

• Vending machines with snacks and beverages are available in the Visiting Room. These machines do not accept cash but are operated with a debit card.
• Visitors may purchase these debit cards at a machine located in the lobby of the Massachusetts Treatment Center.
• Only visitors may possess/utilize the debit cards.
• All food and beverage items purchased in the Visiting Room must be consumed in the Visiting Room.
• Canteen vending machines are owned and stocked by an outside vendor. Any problems with the machines not working properly should be brought to the attention of a visiting room officer who will report it to the Shift Commander. The Shift Commander will report the problem to the outside vendor who will schedule repairs for the machine.

It is the responsibility of the visitor to report any monetary loss directly to the company in writing at the following address:

New Generation Vending  LLC
800 Technology Center Drive
Suite 110
Stoughton, MA  02074

Include:
-Date of loss;
-Institution at which loss occurred;
-Type of machine money was lost in (i.e. candy, soda etc.);
-Amount of loss (no estimated losses will be honored)
-Brief description of what happed

Additionally,
-Refund requests must be in writing;
-Refund requests will be processed with in 4-5 days of the receipt of complaint;

Debit Card errors will be processed within 10-15 days from receipt of complaint.

The DOC is not responsible for loss of money or food from the machine.

VISITATION OF MINORS

• Pursuant to 103 CMR 483, no child who was a victim of the patient/inmate’s offense shall be authorized to visit without the authorization of the Commissioner or a designee.
• Except as noted in A. above, patients/inmates shall be permitted to receive visits from minors provided the minors are accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. A birth certificate which lists the minor’s parents must be produced for all minors when reporting to the institution to visit. Legal guardians must also authenticate their status by producing legal documents which name them as the minor’s guardians.
• In the event a minor will be accompanied by an adult other than his/her parent or legal guardian, advance permission must be obtained from the Superintendent by completing a Request for Visit by a Minor Application (Attachment A).
• The Request for Visit by a Minor Application must be filled out completely by the parent or legal guardian.  The following information must be included:

1. name of parent or legal guardian making request;
2. name of patient/inmate;
3. minor's name, relationship to patient and date of birth;
4. parent or legal guardian's relationship to minor;
5. parent or legal guardian's relationship to patient/inmate;
6. name of person that the parent or legal guardian is authorizing to accompany the minor on a visit;
7. address and telephone number of parent or legal guardian.

The application must be signed and dated by the parent or legal guardian in the presence of a Notary Public.

• One request for Visit by a Minor Application must be completed for each minor.
• The parent or legal guardian shall mail the completed application to the with a notarized Birth Certificate for verification purposes. (This material may also be hand-delivered to the BSH Front Control).
• The application shall be given to the Correction Program Officer who shall attach a brief narrative description of current offense or criminal charges (including information describing the relationship of the patient/inmate to the victim of the crime).
• The request shall be submitted to the Superintendent for his review and decision.  The Superintendent shall sign and date the application and forward it to the Deputy Superintendent of Operations so that the person initiating the request can be notified of the decision.

Exceptions of Minors During Visits

• Minors will be kept under control of the parent or guardian at all times.  At no time will patients be allowed to hold said minor. 
• Minors shall not be allowed extended visits. 
• Minors will not be left unattended in the Outer Lobby Waiting Room or any part of the Bridgewater Complex grounds. 
• Failure by the parent and/or guardian to maintain control or minors during visits may result in the loss of visiting privileges at Bridgewater State Hospital. 

VISITING PROCEDURE (OUTSIDE HOSPITAL)

• No one may visit a patient/inmate temporarily confined in an outside hospital (other than the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit) without the prior permission of the Superintendent of the correctional institution from which the patient/inmate was sent to the hospital. 
• An outside hospital visit may be authorized by the Superintendent if the patient/inmate is determined by the attending physician to be at risk of imminent death and/or any other extraordinary circumstances. 

SPECIAL VISITS

Any patient/inmate who wishes to request a special visit for reasons due to family emergency, extended travel distance to the institution, etc. may make his request to the Superintendent in writing. Patients/inmates may also make such requests to the Superintendent at the staff access period during the noon meal in the dining hall.  

Visitor Dress Code

The following items are NOT ALLOWED to be worn by any visitor adult or child:

• Boots worn above the knee (exception – boots below the knee will be permitted October 15 – April 15)
• Work boots will never be permitted.
• Bare feet
• Bathing suits, shorts, any clothing with excessive pockets, metal, drawstrings, excessively baggy or tight clothing, hooded clothing, sheer, excessively revealing or transparent clothing, bodysuits of any type or wrap around shirts.  (Children age 8 and younger may wear shorts).
• With the exception of undergarments, spandex or spandex type clothing is not allowed. 
• Any clothing that displays a gang affiliation or is in any way attributable to gang culture; additionally, clothing that is obscene, racist or displays sexual content is not allowed.
• Any clothing similar to that issued to an inmate or uniformed personnel to include nursing scrubs, police, postal and utility (Class A active military uniforms are allowed).
• Fatigue or camouflage clothing.
• Double layered clothing on the bottom half of their person (e.g. two (2) pairs of pants, or skirt and slacks, etc.)
• Bibbed clothing of any type: shorts, dress, pants, overalls, jumper etc. (allowable for age 8 and younger).
• Hair accessories that cannot be easily removed to be searched.
• Bobby pins, barrettes and ribbons.
• Umbrellas, jackets, coats, vests or outerwear of any type. Exceptions can be made for those facilities where visitors have to travel outside to get to the visiting area. An area will be designated to store/hang these items not accessible to the visitor and inmate during the visit.
• Male visitors cannot wear any type of blue or black jeans into a facility that houses males.  Female visitors cannot wear any type of blue or black jeans into a facility that houses females.
• Earrings, facial/body jewelry, necklaces, bracelets and watches are not allowed. The only exception regarding jewelry is a traditional engagement ring/wedding band, religious medallion and medical alert jewelry.
• Dresses, skirts and skirt slits will not exceed 2" above the knee when sitting.  No wrap-around style skirts are allowed unless worn for religious reasons.
• Tank tops, halter tops, muscle shirts, or clothing that reveals the midriff or excessively exposes the back.  Tube tops of any type are not allowed.  Sleeveless clothing is not allowed unless covered by an article of clothing, such as a sweater, that shall not be removed.
• Sweatshirts, sweatpants, wind pants and exercise clothing (allowable for age 8 and younger).
• Clothing with zippers that go the full length of the garment with the exception of outerwear. (Allowable for age 8 and younger).
• Colored T-shirts are allowed in. T-shirts with offensive logos are not allowed. 
• Leg warmers.
• Hats and head coverings of any type, unless worn for religious or medical reasons; however they must be searched prior to entering the institution.
• No electronic communication devices or those capable of storing information are allowed. 

Dress Requirements for all Visitors:

• Undergarments must be worn.
• Clothing shall not be ripped, torn, have holes or missing buttons. 

Exceptions to Dress Code

• Sweaters may be worn.
• Hairpieces (i.e., toupees, wigs, extensions, weaves) may be worn but must be searched.  It shall be the responsibility of the visitor to inform the officer that they are wearing a hairpiece during the search processing.
• Garments with elastic waists may be worn. 

Allowable items

Infants – Visitors entering with infants will be allowed to enter with the following items:

• Two (2) clear plastic bottles with either formula, milk, water or juice, one empty sippy cup, two infant diapers and infant wipes in a clear plastic bag, one (1) receiving blanket, (1) pacifier, two (2) plastic sealed jars of baby food, (1) plastic spoon and one (1) bib. 

Medication and or Medical Devices

• Visitors who maintain life-saving medication or who utilize medical devices to include:  nitroglycerine, inhalers, and glucose tablets, automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator and/or pacemaker, wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, insulin pumps, casts, braces, medically necessary shoes, canes, walkers, guide dogs etc., or requiring the use of oxygen tanks shall obtain prior approval from the Superintendent to visit with such medication/device(s). 

1. The visitor shall submit written evidence signed by a medical doctor documenting the need for such device(s) to the Superintendent for review.  Written evidence shall include an anticipated end date for the use of all devices that are necessary for a limited time period (e.g. cane, cast) due to temporary medical conditions. 
2. Once substantiated, the Superintendent shall provide written approval to allow the visitor to enter the institution with the device(s); the Superintendent shall authorize an alternate search if deemed appropriate due to the visitor being unable to submit to a metal detection search due to physical limitations or the presence of the device(s).
3. The visitor shall be required to declare the device(s) and produce the written approval by the Superintendent every time they visit.  If an alternative search is approved, the visitor shall be subject to a personal search every time they visit the institution.
4.  If this is a first time visit to a correctional facility by the visitor, the Shift Commander shall be notified for authorization to enter with the necessary device(s) provided the visitor has agreed to a personal search prior to entering.  This one time approval shall be documented via an incident report and made available to processing staff. The visitor shall be advised that they must obtain the required approval prior to their next visit. 
5. Visitors who have life-saving medication shall keep it on their person at all times.
6. The officer shall note all medication or medical device(s) upon entry on the visiting form and verify upon exit of the visiting room.